A CONVERSATION WITH KERBY JEAN-RAYMOND
For the third installment of #BeWell, Dr. Jess held the growing activation with fashion designer and founder of Pyer Moss, Kerby Jean-Raymond. Aiming to always highlight the movers and shakers using their platform to raise awareness towards social issues, the night was fullfilled with gems from Jean-Raymond, who dived into the complexies of being a black creative in a social climate that often attempts to diminish our dreams. In front of a sold out crowd at the Okay Space located in Brooklyn, NY, Jean-Raymond expressed the importance of self care & the steps towards healing that has cultivated him into one of the most revolutionary fashion designers of our time. "You can't be nothing to someone, if you're not something for yourself. We all need to take time out for ourselves so you can be/feel whole again, " said Jean-Raymond, whose designs have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Yara Shahidi, Angela Rye, Kelly Rowland, and Tracee Ellis Ross to name a few.
Moreover, the safe environment created at Okay Space on behalf of Dr.Jess showcased the number of black men from all walks of life and their experiences. Far too often, the voices of black men are silenced and or minimized by ongoing oppression. Jean-Raymond reassured that black men have the freedom to cope with anxiety, stating: "There are so many ways to cope with stress than the dangerous ways we choose to cope as black men." Coming from an industry that's "polluted" and has exluded black people for decades, Kerby Jean-Raymond is on a mission to shift the narrative around black art, freedom and expression. After taking questions from a number of attendees, the night concluded with our annual affirmation sharing tradition.
“Your story and your background is your super power..”
